Dividend Miles benefits returning

[Art at ISP]

Well, it's about time now isn't it?

I am going to try and not be negative about this move, but all I can say is "What took so long?" Despite what they say I have to wonder if the defections were beginning to show.

That said, looking forward, I am afraid it might be too little too late for many who have already left for greener pastures. I am, however, glad that SOMEONE in Tempe finally saw the light and made this change.

Regardless of the reasoning behind it, it is a welcome move, and that I can applaud. Now let's see how they work to resolve other issues, and try to become more competitive with other full service carriers. Now more than ever they need to reach out to the frequent business travelers who actually ARE their bread and butter--and always have been, for that matter, despite what they think at Rio Salado.

Bottom line, it is a good move, the question will remain, is it too late?

My BEST to you all.

 

[Harry Callahan]

I had dinner with one of my c/s friends yesterday & one of the things we talked about was the elites. She told me that Tempe is out of their minds & for all practical purposes the elites are already gone. No doubt in my mind they saw it. But my guess is it may be to late already. Now as others have said they need to man up & apologise.

 

[PBI2FLL]

:blink: You all have gotten back what you've asked for, including retroactive miles, yet some still feel the need to b*tch and complain? Is there anything that USAirways can do right? Geeesh! 🙄

 

[UPNAWAY]

No.

 

[FWAAA]

:blink: You all have gotten back what you've asked for, including retroactive miles, yet some still feel the need to b*tch and complain? Is there anything that USAirways can do right? Geeesh! 🙄

Odd. On nearly every airline discussion board, it's very unusual for legacy airline employees to defend management.

US has now seen seven consecutive quarters of sub-par unit revenue growth - where US was last or nearly last place. All other legacy airlines have increased their unit revenue by larger percentages over those seven quarters. So what does US do? Cuts minimum miles and elite bonus miles. And finally, after it's probably too late, changes its mind. And everyone pointing that out causes you to defend the Tempe braintrust?

 

[vantheman63]

No.

Well UPNAWAY, you are certainly entitled to your opinion...but I'll have you know, there was a time, prior to the Sand Flea infestation, US could do no wrong...by a large measure, US was not only my favorite airline, but my airline of choice. I had been a CP since 1996. To this day, I would still suggest the people who work in PVD are some of the greatest professionals not just in aviation, but in any business.

During my run as an Elite with US...there were some times when I was "Silver" or "Gold" with just about everyone...CO, DL, NW...and I always felt like I was cheating on US. I NEVER felt good about being "elite" on another carrier. Ever.

US took me to weddings (including my own, where I actually married a former PI F/A), funerals, jobs, promotions...you name it, I did it and I did it on US.

When the Sand Flea infestation started, I for one was THRILLED! Little did I know...I had only flown HP once...I had NO idea the Sand Flea infestation would actually take the WORST of both airlines...and combine them...and then arrogantly look down at FFers as if we are a bunch of nuisance people who the company would rather be without.

So please UPNAWAY, spare me the arrogance of a silly and dare I say "stupid" answer to the question you answered by saying "no."

Unitl you've logged 100,000 miles a year PLUS as a customer on multiple carriers every year for 20 years, from my vantage point, you are just as arrogant (and clueless) as the other Sand Fleas....

Thank you.

P.S. - There are airlines that do nearly everything right....in my world they are known as CO and WN.

P.S.S. - Here's to hoping they are finally getting it in Tempe....I'd LOVE to actually choose US as opposed to being stuck with them on occassion.

 

[hp_fa]

Bottom line, it is a good move, the question will remain, is it too late?

The question becomes too late for what? Also, for a change, I agree with Piney. In general I also tend to stay "hissed" off at any merchant or service provider that seemingly and repeatedly does not seem to care about my business. Examples are Circuit City, Cingular (now the "new" AT&T) and Mervyns.

My guess is that some of the damage will be mitigated, but I think they waited far too long to correct this particular error and they have seen some people disappear for a long time as far as LCC being their airline of choice.

 

[Elevation]

USAirways had to eat some "seed corn" during the fuel price run up by cutting back on awards. Now that the fuel price is way down and the competition is not following there lead it's back to before. Parker was at defcon 4 and throwing all the levers not caring about anything except a way to not trigger the loan covenants. Now he has to deal with all the FF's that he tweaked.

 

[NCFL]

Now let's see how they work to resolve other issues, and try to become more competitive with other full service carriers.

I think this is a major source of disconnect. IMO, today's US doesn't want to be competitive with "other full service carriers." Tempe has failed to manage the shift from the old East US, which was relatively full service, except in the darkest of days, to the new US, which is essentially no-frills HP in drag.

Instead of properly communicating the marketing mission of "no frills," US has continued to position itself as being competitive with other airlines.

The result: The majority of the customers (former East) are pissed off. They're grieving the loss of the airline to which they've been intensely loyal for decades.

Is there anything that USAirways can do right?

No. See previous statement about grief. Until people (employees and customers) move into the acceptance phase of the grief process, nothing US says or does will be satisfactory. Unfortunately for you, that "acceptance" may likely come in the form of "I accept that the new US will never be as I want it to be, so I will fly another airline from now on."

They say that "pain is the touchstone to progress." Enough people have found themselves in enough pain with US that they're finally willing to do something about it.

 

[SS255]

If anyone from US management is reading this thread and really wants the FF's back, these are the reasons I won't go back.

Incredible PDA website.
Full meal service in FC on flights over 1.5 hours.
Sandwiches or Pizza in coach on flights during lunch and dinner hours.
Spotless planes.
IFE even on short legs.
Great mileage program.
A website that works really well, one where you can change your reservations, do upgrades, and defer flights.

As for myself, all of the above, in addition to:

Lounge reciprocity on partner carriers without having to pay a surcharge.
Free wifi and alcohol in the lounges.
Closets and decent pitch in F.
Power ports.

And I cannot believe how much more advanced CO's website is vs. US's. It is like night and day. The website alone is enough to entice business travelers to fly CO.

But I am very appreciative that US has finally seen the light on the bonus miles and 500-mile minimums for their elites.

 

[US1YFARE]

Now that oil is below $50, I wonder how much of a rollback we will see in the ridiculous fees they charge....remember, in 2005 Parker boasted that "we have created a competitive business that is profitable even with oil prices at $50 a barrel."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_336259.html

 

[BoeingBoy]

USAirways had to eat some "seed corn" during the fuel price run up by cutting back on awards.

That was the ultimate silliness with the whole minimum/bonus miles thing to start with - there were almost no immediate savings, whether to offset fuel cost or increase revenue. Certainly not anything compared to the decreased fuel burn from removing IFE or increased revenue from A La Carte pricing.

Certainly there would be savings from less award travel coming in the pipeline as DM members earned less miles over time, but why do something so sure to p!ss off your most valuable customers today for a possible benefit next year?

There's an old rural joke that fits US upper management to a T. Old Joe buys a mule from Sam, after being assured that the mule follows all commands perfectly and can pull a plow from sun up to sun down. Next day, Joe hooks the mule up to the plow and gives the command to pull but the mule just stands there. This is repeated with every command Joe has ever heard and some he made up on the spot, so Joe calls Sam and complains. Sam drives over to Joe's farm, takes a 2X4 board out of his truck, walks over to the mule, swings the board and hits the mule square between the eyes. Joe, aghast, says "What in the world are you doing?" Sam calmly replies "Sometimes you've got to get the mule's attention first."

Sometimes you just have to get US management's attention, and I strongly suspect that they finally were smacked between the eyes with the realization of just how much revenue was walking out the door because of the boneheaded change they made.

Jim

 

[PBI2FLL]

Odd. On nearly every airline discussion board, it's very unusual for legacy airline employees to defend management.

US has now seen seven consecutive quarters of sub-par unit revenue growth - where US was last or nearly last place. All other legacy airlines have increased their unit revenue by larger percentages over those seven quarters. So what does US do? Cuts minimum miles and elite bonus miles. And finally, after it's probably too late, changes its mind. And everyone pointing that out causes you to defend the Tempe braintrust?

I'm not defending anyone...I just find this board ridiculous....MOST of the time. Just a bunch of chronic complainers who will always find something wrong with what US Airways does, no matter what. <_<

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> :blink: You all have gotten back what you've asked for, including retroactive miles, yet some still feel the need to b*tch and complain?

The elimination of Bonus Miles was just one thing that is driving away high-yield customers.

 

[SS255]

Sometimes you just have to get US management's attention, and I strongly suspect that they finally were smacked between the eyes with the realization of just how much revenue was walking out the door because of the boneheaded change they made.

And sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can commit to "recovery."

I think that US had hit rock bottom.